Aizawl, May 13 (IANS) The Mizoram Ginger Unique Selling Proposition (USP) – Sustainable Cultivation and Value Chain Development Project, to be implemented under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) with a total outlay of Rs 189.78 crore, was launched on Wednesday, officials said.

The project was inaugurated through a virtual programme jointly launched by Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma and Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia.

In his virtual address, Union Minister Scindia said strengthening farmers’ participation and improving livelihoods remained among the top priorities of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.

He stated that the development of farmers was central to the country’s overall progress and that the Central government had been consistently implementing various initiatives to empower the farming community.

Scindia said the Mizoram ginger project would be implemented through coordinated efforts involving different ministries, the state government, farmers and cooperative societies.

He added that the initiative would help promote Mizoram’s unique and high-quality ginger to wider domestic and global markets.

Addressing the event, the Chief Minister said the Ministry of DoNER had officially recognised Mizoram ginger as a Unique Selling Proposition (USP), acknowledging its exceptional quality and market potential.

In recognition of this distinction, the Ministry approved the Rs 189.78 crore project aimed at promoting sustainable cultivation practices and strengthening the ginger value chain in the state, he said.

Lalduhoma said the project would focus on key areas including Sustainable Cultivation, Quality Control and Food Safety, Farm Mechanisation and Solarisation, and Post-Harvest Management and Processing.

Additional components of the project would be implemented in convergence with schemes of various Central ministries.

The Chief Minister further stated that the Post-Harvest Management and Processing component would receive Gap Funding support under the North Eastern Council’s (NEC) Focused Development Component (FDC).

Highlighting the significance of ginger cultivation in Mizoram, Lalduhoma said ginger had been cultivated by the Mizos since ancient times and continued to remain one of the most widely grown cash crops in the state.

He said Mizoram ginger was highly valued for its superior quality, unique aroma, medicinal properties, low fibre content, and high oleoresin and essential oil concentration.

Among the three major ginger varieties cultivated in the state, the Thingpui and Thinglaidum varieties received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2021.

The Chief Minister also pointed out that in 2025, chemical residue tests conducted by Eurofins Analytical Services in Bengaluru confirmed that Mizoram ginger met all required quality standards.

He added that the recent recognition of Mizoram ginger as a USP would further strengthen the identity and commercial prospects of the crop at the national and international levels.

According to officials, the project would be implemented in convergence with various departmental schemes.

The Sustainable Cultivation and Farm Mechanisation components would be executed in coordination with the Agriculture, Horticulture and Rural Development departments.

The Processing component of the project would be supported through NEC’s Focused Development Component funding amounting to Rs 30.13 crore.

As part of the infrastructure development plan, a major Processing Hub, designated as the Main Hub, would be established at Mualkawi in Champhai district, the highest ginger-producing district in Mizoram.

In addition, smaller Spoke Hubs would be developed at Tualcheng, Vaphai and Zotlang.

Officials said the Main Hub was proposed to be operated by larger investors, while the smaller units were expected to be managed by local societies.

The infrastructure-related works under the project are targeted for completion within this year, while ginger processing activities are expected to commence from next year.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena.

The inauguration programme was held at the Chief Minister’s Office in Aizawl under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Lalduhoma.

The event was attended by Horticulture Minister C. Lalsawivunga, Chief Minister’s Adviser Dr K.C. Lalmalsawmzauva, Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena, and senior officials of the Mizoram government.

–IANS

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